Black ex-cop and son allegedly beaten by fellow officers who mistook him as suspect

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A former Rhode Island police officer has filed a lawsuit against his colleagues for allegedly beating him up after mistaking him for a suspect.

Christopher Owens says that on Sept. 19th, 2012, he and his son witnessed a tow truck crash into a car. When the off duty officer ran to assist a woman injured in the crash, he had no clue that the tow truck’s driver, Sean Sparfven, was fleeing from officers investigating an auto theft.

When Owens spotted Sparfven attempting to run away, his ten years of experience on the force kicked in, and he tackled the suspect to the ground.

Much to his dismay, Owens claims that when police arrived on the scene, six police officers — some of whom where his own colleagues — assaulted and handcuffed him instead of helping subdue Sparfven. Owens says he repeatedly identified himself as a Providence police officer, to no avail.

According to the lawsuit, Owens’ son, Tyler, who had also worked with the Providence police in the past, was beat, punched and handcuffed, as his father watched the attack from the back of the patrol car.

“They were assaulted, arrested, handcuffed and placed in the rear of police cars due to the color of their skin and because they are African-Americans,” the suit claims. “One officer remarked that all he saw was a big black guy.”

Providence police conceded during the department’s investigation that officers mistreated both men due to race. However, Rhode Island state police maintain that the elder Owens is partially to blame because he did not properly identify himself during the arrest.

“It’s unfortunate he was injured,” said Col. Steven G. O’Donnell, state police superintendent. “It was a dynamic scene, but he has some responsibility for what transpired in that back yard.”

Christopher Owens has now received credit for single-handedly apprehending Sparvfen, who was later sentenced to 20 years in prison. He suffered multiple injuries in the beating and has been approved for a disability pension.

He has decided not to return to the force and is now seeking $1 million in damages.